A Thanksgiving Prayer
Holy and Gracious Heavenly Father,
I come to you in this season of grief with a heart full of thanksgiving for your unending peace, comfort and grace. For the people you have given me in my life who carry me when I am weak. For the family you have chosen for me who understand my heart. For the children you have blessed me with who fill me with unending joy, even in times of great sadness. For the friendships you have formed with people who lift me up and encourage me to be the best version of myself.
I come to you thankful for the roof over my head, the food on my table and the job that helps me pay for all of that. I am thankful for the chaos of small children and loud dogs. For Cheerios in my new car. For doorbells that ring when the baby has just fallen asleep. For mail that piles up. For laundry that piles up higher. You have blessed me with these sounds of a happy home, and I am thankful.
Lord, I don’t understand your timing. I struggle to accept things, even when I know they are part of your plan. But you call me to have faith in times of darkness, to have courage in times of fear, to have peace in times of confusion, and to have joy in times of sadness. Such mighty things you ask of me, Father! And I don’t know that I can do all of those things. I know I can’t, and so I am thankful that above all else, you call on me to place my burdens at your feet and to whisper in those dark moments, “I need you to do this for me.” And I am thankful that every single time I have been brought to my knees in my life and have whispered those words to you, you have never failed me.
Thank you, Father, for humbling my heart this Thanksgiving season, and for reminding me that though this is not the path I would have chosen to walk down right now, it is right where I am supposed to be. You have placed me right where I am supposed to be.
Thank you, Lord, for your enduring and everlasting love. I pray that it pours out of me even when I sit in the shadows of grief.
In your son’s holy name,
Amen
14 Comments
JenniferLO
Beautiful. What a wonderful Lord we serve. You and your family will be in my prayers this holiday season. The Lord knows and the Lord cares!
Becky
Katie, the strength and solace that you draw from your faith is an inspiration. Thank you.
I wish you peace, joy, and wonderful new memories this Thanksgiving.
Sarah H.
Beautiful. Thanks be to God.
catK
What a beautiful prayer. May you continue to feel His presence and love during this season.
Ginny
Oh wow. So powerful and so truthful. You inspire me every day. I’m sobbing in the pumping room at my office, but, according to my counselor, that’s okay. 🙂 I love you so much and specifically I love you for your strength, your honesty and your faith. What an awesome God we serve.
Lindsay (Young Married Mom)
Thank God for your gratitude and the example it is for me. May God bless you and your family in this season 🙂
kelly h
This is so beautiful Katie! Your strength, your honesty, and your heart is such a blessing to so many of us. Thank you for providing strength and inspiration to others in a time where you feel weak. Praying for you and your family continuously!
Heather C.
So many of us can relate to this prayer in one way or another. I am thankful that God has blessed you in a way that you can bless others. Your family is so amazing…From your sense of humor, your marriage and motherly encounters, to your love for our GOD, you inspire me everyday! Praying for you and Ginny and your precious family this holiday season!!! Thank you for this, Katie!!
SanDee
amen, Katie…that is also the prayer from my heart these days…
Katie M
beautiful and very well written. another example why we ate all inspired by you and keep coming back to read.
Whit
Oh Katie. I do not know you in real life, but I consider myself one of your invisible internet friends even though I don’t comment often. I thought about you last night at my Bible study when it was mentioned that we need to be like Abraham and that we don’t need to understand how or when God accomplishes His work. I can’t imagine what you and your family are going through, but I will pray for all of you. You are an inspiration to us all.
Amanda
Beautiful words, Katie. Thank you so much for sharing. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers this holiday season. God bless.
Ashley @ A Recipe for Sanity
Beautiful. We serve an incredible God.
jamie
Oh Beautiful Girl…Sending You Blessings to You and Your Beautiful Family…May God Bless You All and Soften Your Grief…Love and Light To You All.